The Coonawarra wine region was founded by early settler John Riddoch in 1890. The wine region is situated in the South East corner of South Australia approximately 100km from the ocean and is 60 meters above sea level.
The Coonawarra strip with its world famous Terra Rossa soil is 20km long and 2km wide. The Terra Rossa soil sits over limestone and the soil can vary in depth from ground level to over a meter deep.
The average rainfall is 600mm and all vineyards in Coonawarra that use irrigation is from underground water pumped to the top via pumps and then distributed to the vines via drippers or over head sprinklers. The use of over head sprinklers is also used in frost season to prevent frost damaging the vines.
The combination of soil, climate and water are all key ingredients in making Coonawarra a world famous wine region particularly for the Red Variety Cabernet Sauvignon and in recent times Shiraz. Also the Variety Sauvignon Blanc is starting to be well recognized from the Coonawarra region.
